Civil society and member countries to discuss on ways to boost the International Alliance against Hunger

On 22 September 2004, a side event will be held during the FAO's 30th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (20-23 September) under the title "A dialogue with civil society leaders and member countries and national alliance leaders on how 'The International Alliance against Hunger' becomes a leading global political and moral force to end hunger."

The main objective of this event is to bring together partners involved in the IAAH to share information and identify the best methods and means for the International Alliance against Hunger (IAAH) to deepen and mobilize the international community's political commitment and action to address hunger as a central element in the reduction of poverty at the global level.

The attendants to the side event will also recommend concrete actions to strengthen relations between Civil Society and National Alliances in order to address hunger and poverty issues. The recommendations of an on-going evaluation of the UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security and its links with the IAAH can be discussed on this occasion. The results of the dialogue will be presented to the Committee on World Food Security.

The International Alliance against Hunger is gaining more and more momentum as it slowly becomes a powerful and effective world initiative with an international coordination and national networks. In an effort to include a stable and active participation of civil society and International NGO's in the core of the IAAH, official and informal meetings have been taking place to promote enlarged consultation and participation.

The National Alliances created in over 20 countries have gained an official status while managing initiatives to reduce hunger and poverty. In some other 50 countries, governments and civil society members are making common efforts to establish such initiatives.

In addition, international partners of the IAAH have been asked to join local alliances with local projects and resources in order to strengthen National Alliances and enable society to tackle hunger and poverty. In the future, the creation of bilateral partnerships between alliances will be implemented in order to share experiences and working methods.

A strategy paper to stimulate discussion during the IAAH side event was drafted. Please click here to download the document.

For more information on the IAAH please click here.